the state or fact of being equivalent; equality in value, force, significance, etc.
2.
an instance of this; an equivalent.
3.
Chemistry. the quality of having equal valence.
4.
Logic, Mathematics.
Also called material implication. the relation between two propositions such that the second is not false when the first is true.
Also called material equivalence. the relation between two propositions such that they are either both true or both false.
the relation between two propositions such that each logically implies the other.
adjective
5.
(of a logical or mathematical relationship) reflexive, symmetrical, and transitive.
Origin
1535-45; < Middle French < Medieval Latinaequivalentia, equivalent to Latinaequivalent-equivalent + -ia-ia; see -ence
Related forms
nonequivalence, noun
Examples from the web for equivalence
Written language is thus a point-to-point equivalence, to borrow a mathematical phrase, to its spoken counterpart.
Only the clerks know what is available, only they judge the equivalence and can give or take a few square meters here and there.
Harmonic quintessence and the formulation of a fundamental energy equivalence equation.
Capital and income are not taxed with any mathematical equivalence, and inflation is not directly addressed.
There is no equivalence between the acceptance of evolution and the global warming agenda.
The formulation of harmonic quintessence and a fundamental energy equivalence equation.
Here, the kind of equivalence used represents a restrictive aspect of reality as an economic one.
See now you can go see what the equivalence is between the gases.
Greg--Even for you, that's a ridiculous equivalence.
But it's also a false moral equivalence to say that because all of the actors are flawed, they are all equally bad.
British Dictionary definitions for equivalence
equivalence
/ɪˈkwɪvələns/
noun
1.
the state of being equivalent or interchangeable
2.
(maths, logic)
the relationship between two statements, each of which implies the other
Also called biconditional. the binary truth-function that takes the value true when both component sentences are true or when both are false, corresponding to English if and only if. Symbol: ≡ or ↔, as in –(p ∧ q) ≡ –p ∨ –q
equivalency
/ˌɛkwɪˈveɪlənsɪ/
noun
1.
(chem) the state of having equal valencies
Derived Forms
equivalent, adjective
Word Origin and History for equivalence
n.
1540s, from French équivalence, from Medieval Latin aequivalentia, from aequivalentem (see equivalent). Related: Equivalency (1530s).